The idea was to camouflage the building so it would fit into its surroundings

Located at the start of a historic 19th century city populated by people from 129 different countries, the municipality commissioned the SportPlaza Mercator in order to boost the community. VenhoevenCS responded with a fortress-like building completely wrapped in low maintenance plants and topped with a green roof that also has a cave-like ambience inside.

Skylights ensure that natural light reaches all corners of the center, which offers a fitness center, an indoor and outdoor pool, a fast food restaurant and cafe, an events hall and a place for parents to leave their children while they get fit. Tinted windows overlooking the pools provide a sense of privacy while low windows frame the street view. Completely camouflaged from afar, this extraordinary complex completed in 2006 was recently nominated for a new Green Building Award.